Flexible coupling



Dec. 5, 1939. H. H. GUSTIN 88 FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed May 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

Dec. 5, 1939. us-rm 2,181,888

FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed May 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wmvEss H a 70/ H lh jLgoM 5/ n W I 3 omwxgd Patented Dec. '5, 1939 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The invention aims to provide a new and improved coupling for connecting two shafts to rotate. as a single unit, whether said shafts be in true axial alinement, substantially alined but relatively offset to some extent, or substantially alined but at a widely obtuse angle with respect to each other, the coupling being so. constructed as to yield in all required ways regardless of the relation of the two shafts and even if some end play exists in one shaft with respect to' the other.

In carrying out the above end, resilient links are provided to operatively connect two shaftcarried hub members with an intermediate memher, and a further object is to provide a novel construction whereby relatively short bolts may be employed to secure the ends of the links, and whereby any links which may become damaged may be quickly and easily removed and replaced with others. 20 A still further object is to provide a construction which is comparatively simple and inexpensive, yet efficient, reliable and durable.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations at right angles.

Figs. 3 and 4 are end elevations as indicated by the arrows 3 and 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a disassembled perspective view.

A preferred construction has been illustrated and will be rather specifically described, with the understanding, however, that variations may be made within the scope of the invention as claimed.

.Two shaft-engaging hubs I0 and III are provided, said hub It being provided with two radial arms II projecting from diametrically opposite sides thereof, and the hub It! being provided with two arms II corresponding to said arms II.

The arms II are spaced apart 90 from the arms II.

A disk I2, preferably of annular form, is axially alined with and interposed between the hubs I0 and III. A plurality of resilient links are provided to connect this disk I2 with the arms II and II, said links being disposed in two series of four each. The links of one series are denoted at I3, connecting the arms H with the disk I2, and those of the other series are shown at I3,

connecting said disk I2 with the arms II Short bolts I4 connect the links I3 with the arms II 55 and other short bolts I4 connect the links I3 with the arms II Other short bolts I5 connect the links I3 with the disk I2 and still other short bolts I5 connect the links I3 with the disk I2. Half of the number of the links I3 extend circumferentially from the arms II in the direction of rotation of the coupling, and the others of said links I3 extend circumferentially from said arms in the opposite direction. The same is true of the links I3 with respect to the arms II. The coupling is thus suited for driving in either direction, half the number of links taking a pulling strain and doing the principal driving while the others receive a pushing strain but stand in readiness for reverse action should it be necessary to reverse the direction of rotation. The links allow all necessary relative movements of the two shaft sections and at all times establish a positive driving connection between them, aided of course, by the disk I2. Each link is preferably formed from a plurality of thicknesses of sheet steel.

To aid in properly securing the links I3 to the arms II and the links I3 to the arms II, I preferably provide each arm II with two inwardly projecting circumferentially spaced bosses I6 and provide each arm- II with two corresponding bosses I6. To aid in connecting the links with the disk I2, I provide one side of said disk with two pairs of bosses H to abut the links I3, and provide the other side of said disk with two pairs of bosses H to abut the links I3. It will be observed that in the construction shown, the bosses H are in alinement with the bosses I6 and the bosses H are in alinement with the bosses IS. The various bosses may if desired be formed separately from the parts by which they are carried and connected with said parts by providing the latter with sockets I8 receiving reduced ends I9 of the bosses. These bosses, the parts by which they are carried, and the links I3 and I3 are of course provided with suitably formed openings through which the various bolts pass in such manner as to permit any bolt to be readily removed when required, allowing any damaged link or link section to be replaced with another whenever necessary.

Excellent results may be obtained from the details shown and described and they are, therefore, preferably followed. However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made. While the member I2 is referred to as I a disk, it is obvious that it need not be strictly in the form of a disk, but could be an intermediate member of other appropriate shape.

' I cla m:

1. A flexible coupling comprising two spaced axially alined shaft-engaging hubs, each provided with equally spaced radial arms, the arms of one hub being staggered with respect to those of the other hub, each of said arms being provided with a pair of circumferentially spaced openings; an inherently rigid member axially alined with and disposed between said hubs, said member being provided with circumferentially spaced pairs of circumferentially spaced openings alined with the pairs of openings of said arms; flat resilient links disposed in two circular series,

- one of said series being disposed at one side of said member and the other series at the other side thereof, the links of each series being slightly.

spaced apart circumferentially, one end of each link being provided with an opening alined with one of a pair' of the openings in said arms, the other end of the link being provided with an opening alined with one of a pair of the openings in said member, and pairs of bolts passing through the alined openings and securing the circumferentially spaced links to said arms and member, with half the number of links extending from said arms in the direction of rotation of the coupling and the remainder extending from said arms in the opposite direction. a

2. A structure as specified in claim 1; said bolts being so arranged that those of any link may be removed without disturbing any other parts of the coupling.

3. A flexible coupling comprising spaced axially alined shaft-engaging hubs each provided with.

equally spaced radial arms, the arms of one hub being staggered with respect to those of the other 'hub, each of said arms being provided at its inner side with a pair of circumferentially spaced bosses; an inherently rigid member axially alined with and disposed between said hubs, each side of said member being provided with circumferentially spaced pairs of circumferentially spaced bosses, the pairs of bosses on either side of said member being alined with the pairs of bosses on the arms at the other side of said member; flat resilient links disposed in two circular series, one of said series being at one side of said member and the other series at the other side thereof, the links of each series being slightly spaced apart circumferentially, one end of each link being disposed against one of a pair of the arm-carried bosses and the other end of the link being disposed against one of a pair of the member-carried bosses, and pairs of bolts securing said link ends against said bosses with half the number of links extending from said arms in the direction of rotation of the coupling and the remainder extending from said arms in the opposite direction.

4. A structure as specified in claim 3; said bolts being so arranged that those of any link may be removed without disturbing any other parts of the coupling.

HAROLD HORA'I'IO GUSTIN. 

